VZ Calais Review

[SSbaby]

All-conquering Calais

By Jonathan Hawley
The Age, http://www.drive.com.au
Thursday October 14 2004

Rivals can't roll Holden's top-liner, writes Jonathan Hawley.

The quest for ascendancy between Ford's and Holden's large cars seems a never-ending see-saw event. The latest shot has been fired by The General, with the new VZ range. The Commodore has been given a heart transplant in the form of a thoroughly modern 3.6-litre, 24-valve twin-overhead cam V6 called Alloytec. It comes in 175 kW or top-flight 190 kW versions, and selected models also get a five-speed automatic transmission.

Read more here. (http://www.drive.com.au/news/article.asp?article=http://drive.fairfax.com.au/content-new/news/general/2004/10/14/FFXCQ62T90E.html)

[Mongy]

Ahh, it's nice to know they refer to our four speed gearboxes as "old clunkers" :lol:

[Phido]

Interesting.. Still not exactly indepth.

No LSD on V6 Calais anymore (not even as a option)..

[mean 5.0]

Interesting.. Still not exactly indepth.

No LSD on V6 Calais anymore (not even as a option)..



makes slides less fun :( and what is more fun than sliding in a 60 grand commodore

[Febs]

and what is more fun than sliding in a 60 grand commodore

Sliding in a 70 grand Commodore! :D

[Phido]

I hate that you can't get a LSD on either a Fairmont Ghia nor a Calais (except a V8 calais).

By VE they will proberly remove LSD entirely and just have electronic dodads. I have no problems with dodads as long as they aren't seen as pure replacements for actual real traction enhancing devices.

Why does the Calais get the pleb 235kw engine anyway.

SV6 has the LSD only as optional.. Also not good, how many are going to take that option up so you can find one 2nd hand?

Things might get a bit more interesting come VE.. LS2 etc. I hope atleast with the V8, LSD remains optional. Also with the LS2 going into all spec commo come VE, does that mean Ford will be dropping in DOHC 5.4 or hipo turbo sixes into the rest of the lineup so they aren't ~80kw down on power?

[Swordie]

It will be nice when the 190KW motor drops into the other models. A Berlina Wagon with this motor would be very nice.

[HSVMAN]

Interesting.. Still not exactly indepth.

No LSD on V6 Calais anymore (not even as a option)..

LSD contradicts the ESP system which is why it isnt fitted and not an option. Similar reason no LSD in AWD models - must have free drive to both sides for the Cross Trac system to function.
In VZ Calais V6 the ESP system relies on true reading of road wheel speeds individual of each other :)

[clixanup]

I hate that you can't get a LSD on either a Fairmont Ghia nor a Calais (except a V8 calais).

Why would anyone buy a V6 Calais? You don't order a hamburger with the lot and tell the guy to take out the meat.....

[Ghia351]

Sorry for the blatant attempt to catch your attention....but now that you're here...

In the interests of maintaining objectivity towards Holden products last night I booked a Calais for our hire car while on holiday at Broadbeach over the Xmas/New Year break. Looked at the base models first, thought oh WTF and checked online the Calais price and before I knew it, clicked & made the reservation. So I'll have my own roadtest report by ~6 Jan 2005.

I read the Drive article with interest because I thought the Calais would be the model to have a very clear advantage over a F/mont ghia when you stack up the safety features and powertrain combo. Is it me or does it seem that although I was expecting a knock out blow (by VZ) this hasn't quite been achieved and I'm not really sure of the reason because most road tests on the VZ have a similar theme re engine expectations versus actual experience? I'll learn first hand with my 10 day run.

cheers.

[Ghia351]

Why would anyone buy a V6 Calais? You don't order a hamburger with the lot and tell the guy to take out the meat.....

Because the fleet manager might be a vegetarian and you decide better some taste of meat rather then go all vegan and suffer the rear end odour.

[paulvdb]

Why would anyone buy a V6 Calais? You don't order a hamburger with the lot and tell the guy to take out the meat.....

Because the V6 version has ESP and 5 speed auto and is cheaper. With my fleet discount this car's a pretty good deal.

That said I looked at a v8 Calais today and the dealer turned it over. Sounds really ordinary - not much like a V8 at all.

Drove the SV6 as he didn't have a v6 calais and it was a mixed bag. Didn't mind FE2, liked the interior and how everything felt (leather in this car). Everything worked well but...

With the throttle it felt like the spring was a bit too strong so it required a shove to get the car going. The brakes felt the same. I'm used to being able to feel the brakes through the pedal but the pedal feel isn't real great in the VZ. I liked the auto - very smooth. Even had a bit of fun with the paddles.

The Calais is till at the top of my shopping list but would have liked some more storage spaces in the car (or a CD player that plays WMA/MP3 so you don't need so many CD's in the car)

[sHr3D]

The Calais is till at the top of my shopping list but would have liked some more storage spaces in the car (or a CD player that plays WMA/MP3 so you don't need so many CD's in the car)


Yeah why is it that OEM stereos take like 10 years to get the most basic of features you can buy in a $150 Strathfield special.

Man imagine a USB connection you could plug your thumb drive into and play the MP3s from there...Hang on, I think I might just see if I can get someone interested in that idea!

[clixanup]

Man imagine a USB connection you could plug your thumb drive into and play the MP3s from there...Hang on, I think I might just see if I can get someone interested in that idea!

Too late. Well, maybe. Rumour has it that the VE will have Bluetooth....

[LSX-438]

In the interests of maintaining objectivity towards Holden products last night I booked a Calais for our hire car while on holiday
Ghia good idea; remember some rentals have had the crap kicked out of them. I hired an Adventra with 14,000km on the clock and it was very tired, I would say equivalent to privately owned car at 60,000km or more. If I was hiring to evaluate the car i would have been disappointed. Granted there were probably a 100 weekend warriors before me in that car, given the novelty of the adventra.

[Ghia351]

Ghia good idea; remember some rentals have had the crap kicked out of them. I hired an Adventra with 14,000km on the clock and it was very tired, I would say equivalent to privately owned car at 60,000km or more. If I was hiring to evaluate the car i would have been disappointed. Granted there were probably a 100 weekend warriors before me in that car, given the novelty of the adventra.

You're very right, my last hire car was a Magna wagon which I always remembered as a smooth, quiet drive and yet this particular car was louder then my BA Futura wagon and almost drew breathe as it made its 1-2 gear change. However I'm hoping that given the hire company is only just taking deliveries then hopefully with 2 months to go the mileage won't be as high. Also hiring a Calais vs Exec might give me a lower travelled car as well, due to regular cost....I can only wish...the fun will be when I open the door in the carpark @ Coolangatta.

[Phido]

LSD and stability systems don't have to be exclusive. Ideally you would have both and they would work together. There are cars that do this ie M3.. Ideally you would have the added mechanical grip of LSD and the idiot proofness of ESP with out the ESP power sapping abilities.

And LSD/dif lock should become a option on Adventra and Territory. Perhaps this may mean disabling the ESP on the rear, but that shouldn't be too bad as the front seems to do most of the work anyway.


Too late. Well, maybe. Rumour has it that the VE will have Bluetooth....
Bluetooth mobile phone kit $495.00 RRP you can get it now..
Ford have a optional AUX connector your can get for $65 so you can plug in your MP3 player into the audio, but its only in the front, and it apparently doesn't work that well (only headphone input or something)..

Looking around I don't think Calais nor Ghia offer what they used to. Key feature seems to be the extra electric seat adjustments. Seems like its the only extra feature the LTD has over the fairlane.

Your proberly better off optioning the shit out of a XR6T/8 or a SS. Ford makes this easy with the luxury pack (even has a analog clock!). My old man has a statesman and previously had a Ghia, now hes thinking loaded XR6T debadge (sat nav, lux pack, big stoppers, rear parkers, etc).. or a 2nd hand S class or 7 series.. All of which are cheaper than a 6 calais or Ghia.

Calais and Ghia need exclusive power levels, whole stack more equipment, lots more technology. These cars should have Xenons, blue tooth, MP3 audio, vented rears, 5 or 6 speeds, 4 zone climate control, voice control, some better NVH insulation, premium factory tint (not some dealer bodge job) propper stuff with thicker glass all round etc.. Your paying what $55-65+k for a aussie car yet it doesn't (or can't) have equipment thats standard on a $20k japanese or european car. Shockin!

The fact that the Calais now has the plebbiest V8 of the range, and the Ghia has either the pleb 182kw 4 speed (but with about 150kg+ more to lug than a XT) or the equally slow and pleb 220kw 4 speed means that neither is exactly quick. Concidering back in the day, Calais and Ghia both got the hottest engine Gm or Ford could stick in them (they even had manual trans!).. XR6 in the Ghia (inc XR6 suspension, lsd, short diff), even HSV V8's in the calais.

Now they have been relegated back to the fleet order only. BMW and Merc have had soaring increases in sales, while Ghia hasn't gone anywhere and Calais doesn't seem to be hitting killer blows.

[FireyVT]

True but what japanese or european car for $20k has the same equitment as a Calais or Ghia?.The reason Holden only offer the 235kw V8 is that the 245/250kw V8's use louder exhausts.Pretty lame reason if you ask me.

[Phido]

You can get focus, clios, polos etc with xenon lights.. also heated seats etc... Direct injection diesels (or petrol engines), you can get hatchbacks with 5 or 6 or 7 speed (on CVT) gearboxes. Most of them have multi-piston rear calipers with vented discs. Try getting 18" wheels on a Ghia.. impossible Yet you can get 17" wheels on a Focus!

Thats not including stuff you can get on 3 or 5 series or C or E class thats say is 5 years old.

The problem with a Calais with only a 235kw engine is that by the time series II or VE rolls round, same car will get ~300kw.

Thing is why buy either when for same money you can option a XR6T to the max, get everything that a Ghia has except Ghia seats (leather sports only in XR6T). Its much faster, much better resale, handles better, looks more exciting, more flexable colour choice etc. You don't even get that shocking fake wood thats now standard on Mk II Ghias (yuk)..

[Joker^]

I was gonna wait to sign up here when i got my new calais but seems there is a discussion on it...

I currently have a V8 BA Fairmont Ghia fully optioned, sat nav ect. its due for a trade in, in about a months time and im coming back to the dark side for a V8 VZ Calais fully optioned. It will be my 3rd calais previosuly owning VT S/C calias and a Gen III VX calais.

The fairmont is a very good car, one thing i will miss is its sports shift gear box which i really give a work out. I think it also rides alot smoother than my VX did.

Ill post again when im about to order it, asking for opinions on colours and options and so on :P My dealer hasn't got one yet, but said they just ordered 8 Million worth of stock? So hopefully take one for a drive soon.

[GTS JaZzA]

Holden aint getting the 6L v8 LS2 for 5 years. So that'll keep HSV a step above for a while.

[Drizt]

Holden aint getting the 6L v8 LS2 for 5 years. So that'll keep HSV a step above for a while.

not what i heard... i heard VE holden gets 6L and HSV gets 6.2L ... LS2's all round

[HSVMAN]

LSD and stability systems don't have to be exclusive. Ideally you would have both and they would work together. There are cars that do this ie M3.. Ideally you would have the added mechanical grip of LSD and the idiot proofness of ESP with out the ESP power sapping abilities.
And LSD/dif lock should become a option on Adventra and Territory. Perhaps this may mean disabling the ESP on the rear, but that shouldn't be too bad as the front seems to do most of the work anyway.
Now they have been relegated back to the fleet order only. BMW and Merc have had soaring increases in sales, while Ghia hasn't gone anywhere and Calais doesn't seem to be hitting killer blows.

I think you need to understand how the All wheel drive system works. Neither Ford or Holden are designed for locking or limited slip diffs as they simply wouldnt function :bash:
Also the AWD is biased to the the rear not front as you suggest.

Calais and Ghia are not a performance based vehicle although in V8 or 6 cyl format give adequate power levels for the buyer market aimed at.

ESP is designed to work - or not work at all, ie on or off.

Cant answer for the Ghia, but Holden are struggling to keep up with VZ Calais orders - particularly V6. Maybe you should pass on some of your apparent wealth of knowlege to their respective marketing departments :lol:

[Phido]

Also the AWD is biased to the the rear not front as you suggest.

I didn't say that the AWD system is biased to the front. I said the front does most of the work in a stability system (well depending on your definition of work). In a RWD car the ESP system could be programmed to forget or treat diffrently the rear of the car (with a locked diff or lsd) and only use the front wheels to control over steer and understeer.

Instead of braking the rear wheels it can just decrease engine power which can be done seemlessly and easy these days through the throttle control.

In a AWD car buy activating the diff lock the system would concentrate on controlling the front unlocked axel. Thus partly open diff, partly locked.

However, it seems that it would be pretty tricky to do it this way, and also the long way of doing it. A better way would be using a active differential which can act open wheeled when needed and limited as required. But I doubt if we will ever see that kind of technology in a Aussie made car.

For the Calais and ghia the ESP + open diff is proberly honestly suitable. But we will see what happens with ESP on the performance models. See if they drop the SV6 LSD option completely, and with the new V8's if they drop the LSD in them too, open diffs for everyone. Disable the system and you will be lighting up only one wheel on the track. Or maybe no ESP for the V8's ever.

Even better it looks like ford and Holden won't be using vented rear discs in *cars* with ESP (terri + adventra has it tho). So if you go for a bit of a fang around the track its quite possible your rears will overheat, your peddle will go limp, and unlike when it happens with your fronts it will take ages to return. Thing is, you might not notice or expect it (as you weren't using the peddle) and only realise it when you go to slow down for that corner on that coastal road.

I guess thats why its only in the V6 luxo (and safety pack acclaim), less likely someone will ever try flogging one of those..


Calais and Ghia are not a performance based vehicle although in V8 or 6 cyl format give adequate power levels for the buyer market aimed at

Well that depends. Previously both the Calais and the Ghia got all the good stuff, now they don't. I suppose if you want something a little more pokey than a Calais you can buy a HSV senator or wait for the LS2 with a additional ~65kw. Too bad FPV GT-P lacks some pretty basic features (like a seat thats not based of a XT). But I would argue that those that used to buy things like Calais Turbos, EF/EL Ghias for the sporting intentions now buy optioned up SS/XR models (after all those *new* customers came from somewhere).

I know if you walk into a BMW or merceedes or Audi dealership you can get luxury models with any amount of power you could possibly desire! 300, 400, 500, 600+ Hp..


ESP is designed to work - or not work at all, ie on or off
Well yes in Territory and commodores its designed that way, in other cars they generally have various settings you can change, and even when turned off are actually still working just at a very unobtrusive level. Of course the thing about designing things, is you can design what ever you want..


Cant answer for the Ghia, but Holden are struggling to keep up with VZ Calais orders - particularly V6.
Funny that. I wonder if thats due to massive amounts of new orders from new private customers or just the fact its a new model and they are still trying to fill up the usual fleet orders like they do every new model. All I know is that even mitsubishi is flat out for the first few weeks when a new model arrives...

I know they don't like my ideas, I've told them and they aren't interested. They can understand the concept, of the best mechanicals in the best luxury car they make. But these sporty car buyers are too valuable to lose, plus the halo effect from sport models is greater than that of Luxury ones.

They also don't like using vented discs, or other safety things like that. Ford doesn't really want to think about stability systems in cars until 2006.

These are destractions, now the accountants are in charge of Holden and Ford, its time to squeeze every penny. No fancy stuff, no wonderful ideas, no doing it right..

[dugite57]

I'm about to get a V6 Calais (work car). Hope I get the Vz and not a runout Vy. I'll give you an oppinion after a few weeks and some country trips. Lokking forward to it after the acclaim. I think a lot of these probably get sourced into the fleet market, where many are not allowed a V8, so a 190kw 6 seems a pretty good compromise to me.

[Swordie]

The V6 Calais sound like it has plenty enough power for most people. It's putting out more power than a VT 5.0 and it's more effiecent. It's just missing the nice sound of the 5.0.

[GTS JaZzA]

not what i heard... i heard VE holden gets 6L and HSV gets 6.2L ... LS2's all round

I cant see the HSV's upgrading from the 6L to 6.2L in such a small time space. But who knows, we seem to be getting our parts from the Vett's, maybe the 7L c6 engine will be dropped into the VE GTS. I can only hope :thumbsup: